Modi asks first-time voters to register at 18, links civic duty to Republic Day message
In his January 25 Mann Ki Baat address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged young Indians to register as voters as soon as they turn 18, calling it a constitutional responsibility that strengthens democracy ahead of Republic Day.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi used the 130th episode of his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat on Sunday (January 25, 2026) to push a simple message to India’s newest citizens: register to vote the moment you turn 18. Calling the voter “the soul of democracy”, Modi said becoming eligible to vote should be treated not as a routine birthday milestone but as a meaningful entry into the country’s civic life.
The Prime Minister connected the appeal to the national calendar, noting that January 25 is observed as National Voters’ Day and that Republic Day follows on January 26, when the Constitution came into force. He said these dates are reminders of the values and duties embedded in the Constitution, and he urged young people to participate in elections as part of that responsibility.
In the address, Modi framed voting as a practical expression of constitutional duty and a way for citizens—especially youth—to shape the country’s direction. He argued that deeper participation makes democratic institutions more resilient, and encouraged families and communities to celebrate the transition of teenagers into registered voters.
The message arrives as election authorities continue efforts to expand enrolment, particularly among first-time voters, through outreach programmes and simplified registration processes. Modi’s remarks sought to turn that administrative step into a broader call for engagement, signalling that the government wants youth participation to be seen as essential to nation-building rather than optional.
By pairing the voter-registration appeal with Republic Day reflections, the Prime Minister positioned participation in the ballot as an everyday way to uphold constitutional ideals. The overarching point of the episode was that democracy is sustained not only by institutions and laws, but by citizens taking basic actions—beginning with registering, and continuing with turning up on polling day.